Chapter 16 Kasumi's Date
On the way to the movie theater, Kasumi asked, "Why did you ask me out tonight, Ranchan?"
"You looked like you could stand some cheering up, Kasumi-chan. I didn't like seeing you so sad," Ranma replied, "Besides that's what friends are for, aren't they?"
'If only Tofu would act like this. We've only known him for a few months and already Ranma seems like such a big part of our life. I've had more fun in the last few weeks than I can remember,' she thought. "Sure, Ranchan, that's what friends are for. I think that you're the first friend that I have made in sometime." She reached out and held his arm. Ranma thought they were being followed. He turned around once but didn't see anything. If he had looked a bit quicker, he might have been able to see a short figure, hiding in the shadows.
They reached the theater and found a romantic comedy starring Jackie Chan. That seemed like a pretty reasonable compromise, enough action for both of them. Ranma bought a couple of drinks and a big box of popcorn. They went into the theater and found seats in the middle of the theater. The lights went down, and the trailers began to play. They shared the popcorn; every once in a while, their hands would touch while reaching for the popcorn. Occasionally, Kasumi would turn to look at Ranma's profile. Fortunately, the darkness hid her blush. 'He's so handsome,' she thought, 'Once you get past the macho act, he's a real nice guy. I wonder if he acts that way so he won't get too close to people.' Kasumi loved to hear his laugh. He was really enjoying the movie.
After the movie was over, Ranma and Kasumi started home. Ranma said, "I thought that was a pretty good movie, Kasumi-chan. I'm glad you recommended it. The character that Jackie Chan played was really funny. The fight scenes were very well done."
"I enjoyed it, also, Ranchan. You were right. I needed to get out and have some fun. I can't remember the last time I had as much fun as I have had this evening," she replied.
They were nearly home when Ranma spotted someone on the roof of the house to their left. The figure threw something at them. Ranma pushed Kasumi out of danger, and then jumped to intercept the object. It turned out to be a bunch of black roses. As soon as his hands hit them, they exploded, propelling a gas into his face. He fell, his muscles paralyzed. Kasumi was unaffected; Ranma had gotten the roses before they had gotten near her. Kodachi jumped down from the roof, saying, "I've come to rescue you from these peasants, my beloved Ranma." As she was about to grab Ranma, Kasumi attacked her, knocking her into the wall of the house.
"He's not your beloved!" Kasumi screamed, "You witch, leave him alone!" Ranma couldn't believe his eyes or his ears. Kasumi never sounded angry.
Kodachi lashed out with one of her ribbons, attempting to hit Kasumi. Kasumi dodged the ribbon and nailed her with a kick to the solar plexus. As Kodachi folded in half from the pain, Kasumi came in with an uppercut to the jaw that rattled Kodachi's teeth. Kodachi's head snapped back, and she slammed her head into the wall. Her eyes glazed over and she fell to the ground. Kasumi quickly tied her up with her own ribbon. Ranma blinked in surprise. He didn't think Kasumi was that good. She must still be holding back in practice.
"Ranma, are you all right?" Kasumi asked anxiously. He blinked his eyes at her, but that was all he could do. She tried to pick him up, but she wasn't quite strong enough. A couple of doors down however, she saw a watering can. She ran to it, and picked it up. Sure enough, it was filled with water. She ran back to Ranma, poured the water over his head and watched him transform. She carried Ranma home. There her sisters met her, but ignoring their questions for the moment, she took Ranma upstairs to the attic room and laid her out on her futon. Her sisters followed her up the stairs.
"What happened, Kasumi?" Nabiki asked.
"Kodachi attacked us. Akane, please call the police and have them come here. I left Kodachi tied up about eight houses down the street. Akane, also get in touch with Dr. Tofu and get him here as well. The gas bomb Kodachi threw paralyzed Ranma, and I'd like Dr. Tofu to take a look," Kasumi replied.
Akane gasped and then went to find the phone.
"What was Kodachi trying to do?" Nabiki asked.
"She was trying to take Ranma away from m, er us. She was probably trying to get us both with the gas, but Ranma pushed me out of harm's way and then got the full effect of the gas. I took care of Kodachi for now, but I want to press charges," Kasumi said.
Tofu and the police showed up almost at the same time. Kasumi hid from Dr. Tofu until Akane had taken him upstairs to the guestroom. After telling the police officers her story, she took them upstairs to show them Ranma. Carefully she stayed behind the officers, to make sure that Dr. Tofu couldn't see her. Then she told the officers where she had left Kodachi. Tofu began examining Ranma, but soon realized there really wasn't anything he needed to do. After he was done, Kasumi entered the room. His glasses fogged up and he said, "K-k-kasumi, how amazing to see you here," as he began to dance around the room.
Kasumi snapped. "Pull yourself together, Tofu. We don't have time for this nonsense," she said acidly.
Akane exclaimed, "Oh my, Kasumi!"
Nabiki stood there in complete shock.
Tofu stopped, wiped his glasses off and then replaced them. He said, "Gomen nasai, Kasumi. There's nothing that I need to do here. All she has to do is come out of it on her own."
Akane showed Dr. Tofu out the door. Kasumi gently herded Nabiki out of the room, and shut the door. She went and got some hot water, and changed Ranma back, and then she stayed with him. Ranma had closed his eyes and Kasumi thought he had fallen asleep. She pondered all of the changes he had wrought in her life. 'He certainly lives up to his name, Wild Horse,' she thought, 'He's been here just under five months and already he's made me reexamine my life. Now I can go realize the hopes and dreams that I had as a young teen.'
"Ranchan," she said softly, "What am I going to do with you? I thought I loved Tofu, but what if what I felt was no more than a crush like Akane's. I think he cares for me, but he acts so silly when he sees me. I can't even talk to him. You're different. You treat me nicely. You talk to me and I've really come to enjoy the chats I've had with you. I know you care for me; I like you too."
Ranma's eyes flickered. 'I shouldn't be hearing this,' he thought, 'She's going to be so upset when she finds out what I've heard.' He tried to groan, but he was unable to make much noise. Fortunately, it was loud enough for Kasumi to hear.
Kasumi blushed, and her eyes widened. 'Oh my, how much of that did he hear? I didn't mean for him to hear how I was feeling. I thought he was asleep,' she thought.
Suddenly, Ranma's body spasmed, as the drug wore off. He tried to talk, but his throat was still too tight. Finally, he was able to say, "Kasumi-chan, thanks for rescuing me from that crazy Kodachi. I hope she got the message. What happened to her?"
"I had her arrested for assault. Your mom is working on getting a restraining order as well," Kasumi said. 'Maybe he didn't hear me,' she thought. "Thank you for taking me out to the movies tonight, Ranchan. I had a good time. I even enjoyed beating Kodachi up, too," she said with a smile. Then she bent over and kissed Ranma on the mouth. Ranma lay there stunned for a second, and then his body responded. He kissed her back, his hands caressing her back, holding her tightly against him. Reluctantly, she pulled away from him. "Oh my," she said, "Ranchan, that really wasn't supposed to happen, but I'm glad it did."
"I don't know what came over me, Kasumi-chan. I care for ya, but I thought it was as a brother loves his sister, and I thought ya felt the same way about me. But when ya kissed me, it felt right ta kiss ya back," Ranma said, "But, I'm confused, I thought you loved Tofu."
"If you had asked me that yesterday," Kasumi said, "I would have said yes without question. But after everything that we went through today, I'm not sure I could. I don't know if this was just a reaction to Tofu's actions this afternoon and Kodachi tonight. I was so afraid that I would lose you when you were lying there on the ground. I'm not declaring undying love for you and I don't expect you to do so either."
"Kasumi, I need to take this slowly. Please don't take this the wrong way either. My father has starved me for affection for so long, that I'm scared that I'm overreacting. I don't know how to act when someone shows they care," he said.
"I think I understand, Ranchan. I've read enough psychology books to recognize that danger," Kasumi said, "You're the only person that really treats me as a friend, and I may be reacting the same way myself. I won't pressure you."
He reached up and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Kasumi-chan. I'm still feeling pretty wiped out. I need to get to sleep. Sweet dreams," Ranma said. Kasumi arose and left, leaving him to go to her room. Ranma lay there, gathering his thoughts, pondering what had happened. Without him noticing, he drifted off to sleep.